Those that have frequented British Colonial Co. on Hawthorne Road have been eagerly awaiting news of The Residence, the mysterious upper level extension that promised a tailored dining and drinking experience. The wait is over and all has now been revealed with The Residence opening to the public this month. The Residences is perched on the second level of a renovated Queenslander cottage, which has been given a substantial sprucing in the form of new shutters, soft wicker furnishings, monochrome accessories, crisp white panelling and an impressive Coco Republic chandelier. The venue has been designed to be perfect for intimate dining and functions, complete with it’s own amply stocked bar and banquet-style seating – with deck dining for those hoping to catch a breeze, and plenty of air-conditioning inside.

Ashwin Warncken (ex-Nickel Kitchen & Bar) has come on board as executive chef, creating a range of seriously sumptuous (and just damn good looking) meals for The Residence’s lunch and dinner a la carte and high tea menus. The seasonally focused menu features dishes such as duck breast with date puree and spiced rhubarb, chicken and duck pate with Armagnac jelly, and lamb rump, burnt eggplant gnocchi, roasted Jerusalem artichoke for dinner. The deliciousness doesn’t stop there – lunch includes the likes of black onyx sirloin with burnt onion puree and roast root vegetables and smoked quail with caramelised fig. The Residence takes a modern approach to its high tea offering – the menu features sweet and savoury selections, served with loose leaf tea from Temple Tea Co, Veuve Rich champagne or sparking wine.

If you haven’t dined in Hawthorne lately, now is the best time to pencil in a date night. For contact information and opening hours, check out the Stumble Guide.